Durham Student Housing Moves Forward

Work is underway to demolish a series of former Durham businesses to make way for new student accommodation.

The Claypath buildings previously consisted of a restaurant, an old Kwikfit, and a former cinema.

Developer Student Castle received planning permission to build the mixed-use development in 2015, which under its current design, will result in the construction of a 445-bed student accommodation scheme. In addition to the student housing there will also be a small cinema and gym as well as retail space.

When the original planning application was submitted, developers suggested the site would provide an opportunity to respond to the city's aspiration to reinvigorate the commercial potential of Claypath by driving additional footfall into the street.

They also argued the site was an appropriate location for student accommodation as it resides close to the city centre and their place of study.

However, since the original application was submitted, the developers have lodged a separate application to increase the number of student beds at the development to 477. This has raised concerns from some residents over the mass of the development as well as the current supply of student accommodation in the area, which is deemed to be excessive.